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The 'Nine Symbolic Strokes' is a meditation technique used to enter a state of extreme focus. Developed by Dennet Moonsong, it's used for easier spellcasting.

Contents 1 Origin 2 Nine Strokes 2.1 #1 — Kindle 2.2 #2 — Tide 2.3 #3 — Soil 2.4 #4 — Gust 2.5 #5 — Wilds 2.6 #6 — Body 2.7 #7 — Wisp 2.8 #8 — Being 2.9 #9 — Harmony 3 Trivia

Origin

The Strokes were developed during Dennet's time in the Emerald Dream. Due to the increasing infestation of the Emerald Nightmare, remaining in a centered state required to function became increasingly difficult. To remain effective, the druid had to find a way to easily concentrate his mind on one thing.

Indeed, the exact method turned out in a fluke. At first, Dennet tried chanting a single line of a prayer. However, it was meaningless as he would mispronounce some of the words and even forget the lyrics, especially in dire situations. A form, made with hands, was also ineffective, as it would require memorization of advanced patterns and was, just as above mentioned method, almost impossible to make in a pinch. In a influx of annoyance, he would slash his hand through the air downwards. This was a serendipity. Dennet noticed he would often slash his hand like that in annoyance, in the exact same manner.

From there, the druid would experiment with quick strokes in the air that made the body and mind focused alike. Since the movement was fundamentally simplistic, no deep memorization was required. Also, a quick jut of a hand in any given direction is a very common behavior in stress, so making strokes was even more natural.

Later on, Dennet would categorize the strokes into nine easy-to-remember forms, and associate them with certain figures they seemed to remind him of. That way, the strokes became organized and even more harmonic. So far, he wasn't seen to share the method with anyone, yet he would be often making a simple stroke, or a series thereof, when he needed to concentrate.

Nine Strokes

#1 — Kindle

This stroke embodies the fire of life every being possesses.

To perform:

• Use the right hand.
• Make a quick thrust upwards, then thrust downwards to the right.
• The position of the palm is irrelevant.

#2 — Tide

This stroke embodies the serenity of water every creature holds.

To perform:

• Use right hand.
• Make a small wave by a quick jut upwards, downwards, and a long jut upwards again.

#3 — Soil

This stroke symbolizes the endurance of soil that living beings have.

To perform:

• Use either hand.
• Make a semi-circular gesture downwards.
• Make sure the palm is faced towards your body at the end.

#4 — Gust

This stroke symbolizes the will to live everyone should cherish.

To perform:

• Use right hand.
• Start with your palm facing outside.
• Make a elongated circular gesture upwards.
• Keeping the circular pattern, bring the hand down.
• Turn your palm inside while moving the arm down.

#5 — Wilds

This advanced stroke symbolizes the unity of all four above — the balance of life.

To perform:

• Use both hands.
• The left hand should make a quick jut to the left, slightly downwards.
• The right hand should make a quick jut to the right, upwards.
• The left palm should be kept to outside.
• The right hand should make a 'blade' to cut the air.

#6 — Body

This advanced stroke symbolizes the material body each being is composed of.

To perform:

• Use both arms.
• Have them slightly bent down.
• Move the forearms around the elbows forward.
• Move the forearms around the elbows downwards.

#7 — Wisp

This advanced stroke symbolizes the inner essence that breathes life unto everything by Elune.

To perform:

• Use both arms.
• Start with your arms crossed.
• Make a circular motion, drawing a semi-circle.
• Quickly move your hands back.
• Strike forward near the 'ends' of your semi-circle.

#8 — Being

This advanced stroke symbolizes the unity of Body and Wisp, giving a real being.

To perform:

• Use both hands.
• Start with your fists touching the knuckles, then quickly move the arms outside.
• While moving the elbows as least as possible, cross your forearms at the height of your forehead.

#9 — Harmony

This advanced stroke symbolizes the harmony of all existence, something which the druids must safeguard.

To perform:

• Use both arms.
• Start with your hands crossed on your chest.
• Move the forearms outwards, follow with the rest of your arms.
• Glide the arms down to the sides, slowly turning the palms.
• Make sure the palms are facing outside at the bottom.

Trivia

• Strokes portrayed above are the full gestures, preferably used for deep meditation. A simplistic version exist for all of them, involving just simple movements of whole arms up and down accordingly.
• The strokes hold no magical power or even work as a prayer. They're really just physical actions. All they serve is to unite the mind and the body for concentration purposes.
• The technique isn't hard to learn, but it takes time to master the full gestures perfectly.